Lounge Afrique, Middesbrough: 'Popular' nightclub has licence suspended following rape allegation

A nightclub in Middlesbrough has had its licence suspended following the alleged rape of a child who was able to gain access to the premises.

Lounge Afrique, located on Corporation Road in Middlesbrough town centre, also saw its designated premises supervisor removed, in a summary review decision made by a Middlesbrough Council licensing sub-committee on Tuesday, July 28.

Following the introduction of such interim steps, an application was made on Thursday (Jul 30) by Percy Quarcoo, the premises licence holder, for a review of Tuesday’s (Jul 28) decision.

The same sub-committee heard evidence from both the premises licence holder and Cleveland Police on the morning of Friday (Jul 31) and deemed that it was necessary to uphold the steps they had introduced three days earlier. As such, the licence of Lounge Afrique remains suspended until a full licensing hearing review, which will take place on Monday, August 17.

Cleveland Police sought the initial review on Monday (Jul 27) following a “serious incident” that occurred this month, with documents presented to the committee detailing how police had received a report from the parent of an under 16 female, stating that her daughter had left home without permission and attended Lounge Afrique.

The report added: “Whilst at, or following her attendance at, the premises, the child is alleged to have become the victim of a serious sexual offence, namely rape.”

Along with “significant safeguarding concerns”, investigating officers reported “difficulties” in obtaining information from the premises, with allegations from the police that members of staff had “not fully cooperated” with enquiries, papers explain.

The force also cited concern about the volume and nature of previous reports linked to the premises over the past 24 months.

Mr Quarcoo was unable to attend Tuesday’s summary hearing, but submitted a response to the police’s statement, disputing some of the information provided by Cleveland Police, which resulted in some police rebuttals at the meeting.

Mr Quarcoo’s submission hoped that additional licence conditions would “adequately address any concerns”, as opposed to suspending the premises licence.

Tim Hodgkinson, Middlesbrough Council’s licensing manager, explained that the Licensing Act 2003 allows a ‘fast track’ review of a premises licence in cases where a senior police officer gives a certificate indicating in their opinion that the premises are associated with “serious crime and disorder or both”.

Mr Hodgkinson said the premises operates as a “popular nightclub” in the town centre and had benefited from a premises licence since 2014.

The licensable activities at Lounge Afrique included: films, recorded music, live music, performances of dance, late night refreshment, sale of alcohol on the premises, with the hours of licensable activities running to various early hours of the morning, with the establishment allowed to remain open until 3am.

Harriet Eglinton, from KBW Barristers’ Chambers, spoke on behalf of the chief constable of Cleveland Police at Tuesday’s meeting.

She said that while CCTV footage did not show the allegation that had been made, it did show a number of “concerning actions occurring at the premises, which put the premises in breach of their licensing conditions as they already exist”.

Ms Eglinton, said people who appeared to be under 18 were being allowed into the premises, with door staff either not checking ID or checking a digital, rather than physical, copy of ID. She explained that part of the licensing conditions is that children are not allowed in the premises after 9pm, and the footage is “much later” than this time.

Later in the hearing, Ms Eglinton discussed a total of 10 incidents that had been alleged in the last two years, two of which were assault incidents, with the remainder being spiking/sexual assault incidents.

She listed the incidents, one of which referred to a 2025 phone call being made, informing the police that the premises was being used as a brothel. She outlined the police’s desire for a “short suspension for the functioning of the premises”, until further licensing conditions are put in place.

The committee decided that they would suspend the whole of the premises licence and remove the designated premises supervisor. Chair of the sub-committee, MICA Councillor Stephen Hill highlighted how CCTV footage also showed the alleged victim purchasing “what is believed to be an alcohol drink on at least two occasions”.

The committee believed that the “failure of the staff to properly adhere to the [licensing] conditions”, subsequently put the alleged victim at risk. The committee also considered the history of other allegations submitted by the police. Coun Hill added: “The interim steps are proportionate to prevent further serious crime and to promote the licensing objectives.”

At Friday’s meeting, Mr Quarcoo was in attendance and spoke of being “extremely disappointed” in Lounge Afrique’s designated premises supervisor and said he was now speaking to a “very experienced” designated premises supervisor as a replacement. He also highlighted steps taken by the establishment, since Tuesday’s hearing, including appointing a completely new security team and ordering electronic ID scanners.

During his representation, Mr Quarcoo also mentioned how the committee’s written decision “does not state that the alleged offence occurred inside Lounge Afrique”.

Responding to this, Cleveland Police’s licensing officer Amy Roberts said: “If some of the checks, as per the conditions on the licence, had been done”, then the alleged offence “possibly wouldn’t have happened”, adding that Mr Quarcoo shouldn’t be “fixated” on the location of the alleged offence.

Jonathan Tomlinson, force solicitor for the chief constable at Cleveland Police, said: “We applaud the work that has been recognised as being needed and that is to be done, and I put heavy emphasis on the words ‘to be done’.” He highlighted the seriousness of the alleged crime, saying a perpetrator could expect to receive a life sentence.

Mr Tomlinson described a “fundamental breach” of the existing licence conditions, saying the Challenge 25 policy wasn’t implemented “as far as can be seen”, adding: “This is not the proper forum today to decide to lift that interim licence suspension in my view,” as proposals listed by Mr Quarcoo, “have not been implemented.”

Chair Coun Hill said the committee was “not satisfied” that all proposals put forward by the premises licence holder had been implemented, adding: “The committee consider that the interim steps continue to be necessary.”

Cleveland Police confirmed that an interim licensing review hearing was implemented by police after an alleged rape, which was reported at Lounge Afrique in Middlesbrough in July.

A spokesperson said: “An investigation is taking place into the rape of a teenage girl, and a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape. He remains on police bail with conditions whilst enquiries continue.”